Closest city to the trailhead:
Sandpoint, Idaho
Average distance of hike:
2 miles round trip
Why do you recommend it?
The granite boulder-strewn and slide-filled Upper Pack River is another hidden gem of North Idaho and holds one of the best unconventional hikes in the area.
What was most noteworthy?
takes you up the river bed through countless crystal clear pools, huge waterslides and small waterfalls. The riverbed hike allows you to use your own creativity to pick apart the puzzle of navigating upstream.
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Know before you go:
Depending on late season snowpack and runoff, this hike is accessible as early as July and as late as a warm day in October. Water levels must be low to very low to safely hike in the riverbed. This is the top section of a Class V+ section of whitewater that is commonly paddled by local kayakers during the spring and early summer runoff.
Where to celebrate after?
Joels Mexican Restaurant
Nspire Challenge Rating:
- Lazy Sunday Stroll
- Family Adventure
- Average Outdoor Enthusiast
- Bring Your A-Game
- Master Adventurer
How do you get there?
Upper Pack River – Google Map Location
From Coeur d’Alene, head north on US 95 toward Sandpoint. Continue through Sandpoint on US 95 for another 10 miles. Turn left onto the Upper Pack River Road at Samuels Store (Conoco Station). Continue about 15 miles on the Upper Pack River Road until reaching the sign indicating the Chimney Rock, Beehive Lake and Harrison Lake trailheads. Turn left and head downhill a quarter mile to the Chimney Rock trailhead. Park and gear up. Then, climb down into the river. Heading upstream along the left side bank is the best start. Beyond that, the path is yours to make. A medium ground clearance vehicle is recommended as the upper road (mile 7 and beyond) is quite rough in places. After the hike, stop in Sandpoint at Eichardt’s Pub and Coffee House, Mcduff’s Brewing Company or Laughing Dog Brewing for fantastic food and drinks.
Photography By Chris Celentano
As Featured In: Winter/Spring 2018
